Here’s the most recent information on Dawand Jones as OTAs approach. Jones is recovering nicely from the knee injury that ended his season. He is on target to return soon.
As a rookie, Dawand Jones had an unusual path to starting in Cleveland.
Jones, an Ohio State product selected in the fourth round of the 2023 NFL Draft, began his rookie campaign as the Browns’ backup offensive lineman. participated in 712 snaps, but, gave up only three sacks, and was only penalized for two penalties.
Jones found his way onto the field really quickly. Starting right tackle Jack Conklin suffered a knee injury in the second quarter of the Browns’ first game against the Bengals that would ultimately be ruled to be season-ending. After a solid first game finish, Jones would start his first game of the career the very next week in Pittsburgh.
“I never panicked each day I was waiting, you know, I’m sitting there waiting for my name to get called,” Jones stated.
The Browns would benefit from Jones’ consistency on the right side of the offensive line for the next seven games. Due to a shoulder injury, he would miss Cleveland’s game against the Cardinals in Week 9, but he would return to the field in Week 10 against the Steelers and start Weeks 11 and 12.
Three days prior to the Browns’ Week 14 matchup with the Jaguars on December 7, 2023, Jones suffered a knee injury during practice. He would be ruled out for the game and the following week, head coach Kevin Stefanski announced that Jones’ knee injury would require season-ending surgery, ending an impressive rookie season.
It was then discovered that Jones had undergone surgery to repair his meniscus cartilage and medial collateral ligament before starting his recuperation. Jones said that he is on schedule and recovering nicely from the surgery.
“For the most part, rehab is going well,” stated Jones. “I’m three months out from surgery so I can’t ask for much more.”
Jones is probably going to miss the April 15 organized team activities. However, he anticipates returning in time for the end of July training camp.
“I’ll probably be back [to 100%] in like July, just cause it’s an injury I never went through and just want to make sure I’m comfortable enough to be on the field and be myself, Jones said.”
Jones will have to fight to regain his starting position on the offensive line once healthy. Conklin and Jedrick Wills Jr. of Cleveland are both recovering from injuries that ended their seasons.
At the NFL Combine, Stefanski remarked, “That’s a great problem to have.” “I feel fantastic about all three of our guys—Jones, Wills, and Conklin—but especially about the three you mentioned.
Which two players will start at the start of the 2024 season will probably be decided in a training camp competition. The 6-foot-8, 374-pound Jones, a 22-year-old with a lot of potential, will be difficult for the Browns to bench after his impressive rookie campaign.
When the 2024 season begins, one player will undoubtedly have to sit out, but Jones is only concerned with the things he can control and isn’t planning too far ahead.
Regarding his approach to beginning over, Jones stated, “Just go to work and just think about the next day.”
The Browns have added a number of key players heading into the season. The first is wide receiver Jerry Jeudy, who the Browns acquired before free agency began in a deal with the Denver Broncos. Jones, who just met Jeudy a few days ago, is excited about all the new boys in town.
“Happy to see my new teammates, you know, I saw Jerry [Jeudy] the other day.”
Za’Darius Smith, a defensive end who excelled in 2023 as a complementary player to Myles Garrett on the defensive line, was one player Cleveland re-signed. Smith signed a two-year, $23.5 million contract with the Browns this offseason. Smith and Jones have become close, and Jones is thrilled that Smith will be returning to Cleveland to practice against him every day.
“That’s one of my best friends, that’s one guy I go talk to make sure I’m taken care of as a young guy.”
For Jones, it will be a crucial year to establish himself with the team and prove to them that he can contribute to the offensive tackle position in the long run. It appears that he is headed in the correct direction to achieve that goal by 2024.
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